Nigel Thrift has completed his final day as Vice-Chancellor of Warwick after ten years of working at the University.

However, Thrift won’t be out of a job for long. It was announced last week that he will be taking the position of Executive Director at Schwarzman Scholars, a renowned degree program which develops leadership skills and professional networks at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Professor Thrift’s job will be based in New York, although he will be travelling to Beijing frequently.

Schwarzman, the program’s founder has commended Thrift’s “academic and operational experience” and has confidence that he will, “help us execute on a vision and build a program that will stand the test of time.”

Professor Thrift, a leading academic in Human Geography, has expressed his great anticipation for this new appointment, by complimenting the program’s “carefully crafted curriculum and the many unique components designed to enrich student life”.

Time to move on, Nigel Thrift hasn’t always been popular with students Photo: Matt Barker

The program is one of the most competitive in the world, with over 27 applicants per place.

Professor Thrift’s role will make him an ‘International Ambassador’ for the scheme, and he will be involved with global recruitment, marketing, and fundraising efforts.

Thrift’s last day at Warwick was on Friday, January 29, after becoming Vice-Chancellor of the University in 2006.

During his time at Warwick, he has been knighted, and has been described by the Royal Geographic Society as “one of the world’s leading social scientists” according to BBC News.

Sir Nigel Thrift was due to leave Warwick in 2015, but stayed for the whole year as it coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the University. In his farewell message, he spoke of his great pride “in having worked with the exceptional staff, students, and friends of the University”.

He wrote of the “significant accolades” such as “ranking in the top 100 of every major University world ranking” over the last ten years.

Professor Stuart Croft is to be the University’s Vice-Chancellor, who has held the position of Professor in International Security as well as Warwick’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for research (in Arts and Social Sciences).

Stuart Croft will take up his new role as Vice-Chancellor on February 1.

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Comments (1)

IT department of our University of Warwick did restrict length of password in my account under 14 characters in 2012. My feet was harmed by unknown poison gas in my office in the University. They ignored my complaints because corrupt top politicians wants to get my personal information.

Yet vice chancellor Nigel Thrift now is working for supporting Chinese government. It needs to be investigated whether this is in return and rewarded by corrupt CPC top politicians for that Professor Nigel abused power and human rights to block ways of my PhDs studies, and illegally ordered that police dragged me and detailed in mental hospitals twice in 2013 without any legal document. He is very powerful man in the UK as my MP chased IPCC about this illegal detain in 2013 but I got no result.

In addition, It needs to be investigated whether this deal of his new position behind. Professor Nigel helps corrupt Chinese CPC top politicians for concealing their corruption in China Zhengzhou MiFeng Paper-Making Co. Ltd. petition case.

During his administration, our university is very hot by Chinese top politicians visiting since my PhDs studies came to light in the end of 2009.

May I know why Chinese ambassadors are hot to visit our University? Corrupt pervious Chinese ambassador Madam FU Yong visited our university for block ways of my PhDs studies and i was seeking justice in the UK. This has been cross examined in the first tear immigration tribunal of the UK in 2010 when I appeal for my asylum.

After I have been granted refugee in 2010, my solicitor advised me who needed to change university because my solicitor and barrister saw my circumstance is deteriorated rapidly.
I have reported many times about this issue but I have not received any help from Professor Nigel. Even so I cannot take part in his 2012 surgery session for all students expect me. It confirmed I lost my believe of professor Nigel would stand human rights side after I have been granted refugee. Before his treat may lead by misunderstanding through Chinese corrupt CPC politicians. My PhDs failed that it confirmed I am obviously and completely wrong!

Anyway, my PhDs study has been blocked his efforts.Hopefully this comment is useful for develop the human rights in our university. Especially for refugees who are studying in our university. And prevent corrupt CPC top politicians interfered academic studies.

Many of the issues raised originated some time ago but the effects and resulting problems concerning these matters still arise and are extremely serious today. To fail my PhDs studies and illegal remove me to China, Blocked Gmail on 26/12/2014. FuJian business man drove a car to hit the consulate of USA in ShangHai city on 12/02/2015. 11 attacks on San Francisco-area Internet lines, which corrupt CPC politicians figures are behind it. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/06/30/california-internet-outage/29521335/